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F. SHANLEY.

MANHOLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.22, 1919.

Pabented July 12, 1921.

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\ j w/1525 wit 2 f M121 ay W UNITED STATES FRANCIS SHANLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MANHOLE.

Application filed September 22, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANCIS Srmnnnr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manholes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to manholes for catchbasins, public utility street'vaults, battery wells for railway signal systems, etc., and has especial reference to covers or closures for such manholes.

In large cities where manholes are extensively employed, great ditliculty has been experienced in preventing unauthorized persons from removing covers from manholes and depositing all sorts of rubbish therein.

My invention aims to overcome the difficulty referred to by providing means of an advantageous character for closing manholes and maintaining them closed against opening by unauthorized persons.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved curb which is both reversible and readily removable. V'Vhile my copending application, Serial No. 270,719 filed February 24, 1919, discloses a reversible and removable curb, my present invention involves an improvement as to each of these features both in the cost of construction of the device and in the ease with which the curb may be removed.

Another object of mv invention is to provide a supplementary manhole cover which may be conveniently employed in connection with the removable and reversible curb I have disclosed.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a manhole showing one method of locking the cover to the curb.

Fig. 1 is a similar view of one side of the manhole showing the use of a different looking device.

F i s. 2 and 3 are top plan views of two su piementary manhole covers of slightly di erent construction, and leave clearance for the means for locking the cover 3 in position when such means are employed. Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical central sectional views taken on lines 44 and 5--5 of Figs. 2 and 3, respectively. Figs. 6, 8 and 10 are fragmental sectional vlews taken through dif- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1921.

Serial No. 325,327.

ferent forms of fastening devices and showing them in position to lock the cover to the manhole. Figs. 7 and 9 are end views and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the fastening devices shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 10 respectively.

In the drawings, A denotes a catch basin, vault or similar structure which may be built of any material and of any preferred form. The frame or curb 1 consists of a cylindrical wall having upon its inner surface two annular ledges or shoulders 2. One of the ledges is near the upper end of the frame while the other is near the lower end thereof. The ledges 2 are similar in form and interchangeably adapted to support a cover 3 of any suitable character.

Upon the bricks or the like forming the upper end of the catch basin or vault, I provide an annular base-plate 4. preferably of cast iron, having an internal upwardly-extending flange The base plate 4 rests on the masonry walls of the catch basin A and has peripheral engagement with the substructure B which is preferably concrete or some similar material. The curb 1 fits down over the flange and rests upon the base plate, being held in position by the flange 5. It will be observed that an annular groove 5 is formed between the top of the annular flange 5 and the bottom shoulder 2 of the curb 1. This space I utilize for the insertion of my various cover looking devices and supplementary covers, as will be described later.

The letter C indicates a layer of sand or the like, about an inch in depth, lying on the concrete B on top of which sand granite paving blocks, bricks D or the like, rest.

In order that the curb 1 may be readily taken out and reversed, I preferably provide a two-inch iron hoop 6 which is made large enough to provide a clearance of one-quarter of an inch or so between the hoop and the outside of the curb. The hoop rests upon the base-plate 4 and serves to retain the granite blocks, bricks, etc.

It will be seen that the curb 1 is held in position by its weight only and may be freely lifted up to be turned over or to be replaced. As the curb is relatively heavy and is separated from the paving blocks by a small clearance only, it will not interfere with or be disturbed by the passage of vehicles over the same. It should also be noted that the base plate 4 may be removed and replaced without tearing up any of the sub-structure B by removing a few paving blocks and a little sand.

Various means may be used to prevent unauthorized persons from removing the covers of manholes; that illustrated in Fig. 1 constituting stationary means having operative engagement with the annular groove 5 and extending diametrically across the manhole to engage a centrally located locking bolt 8. To permit adjustment of the stationary means both for removal and for use in connection with manholes of different sizes, I have illustrated the same as comprising a central turnbuckle 7 having operatively associated therewith a pair of rods 7* and 7 the free ends of which engage in the annular groove 5 formed between the curb and baseplate. The turnbuckle and rods thus form an anchoring member to which the cover may be secured. Herein the means for securing the cover 3 to the turnbuckle consists of an ordinary bolt 8 located substantially centrally of the cover having a head 9. The bolt has fixed on its lower end a member 10 having a toe 11 extending at right angles to the member, the construction of the bolt 8 and member 10 being in this instance the same as that illustrated in Fig. 8. I provide a countersunk hole 12 in the top of the cover within which the head of the bolt 8 fits. If desired, a suitable cap may be employed to cover the bolt head 9. The lower end of the member 1.0 is arranged to enter a slot 7 in the turnbuckle, and it will be seen that by simply giving the bolt 8, and consequently the member 10, 'a quarter turn, the toe 11 is caused to enter the slot 7 in the turnbuckle, thus locking the cover to the turnbuckle.

In some instances it may be desirable to utilize supplementary covers, such as are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The outer edges 0t said covers [it within the annular groove 5. Said covers are put in place either when the manhole is installed, repaired, or when the curb is being reversed. In case supplementary covers are used, no means to lock the upper cover in position are necessary. It will be apparent, how ever, that locking devices such as those illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, may be employed if desired in addition to the supplementary cover which is made sectional, comprising two outer sections 13 and 15 and a middle section 14 rabbeted together. The middle section 14; is preferably made of smaller diameter than the outer sections so as to clear the annular shoulder 2 ot the curb when being removed. WVhen the intermediatesection is thus removed, the outer sections can be removed by moving them toward the center of the curb. Observation openings 16 are provided in the middle section 14; A chain and padlock 14 may pref-- erably be used to secure the sections 13, 14

and 15 together, the holes 17 allowing the chain to be passed around the sections.

Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, illustrate modified forms of means for locking the cover to the manhole. The device illustrated in Fig. 6 consists of an ordinary bolt screwed into a member 10 and provided with a head of special shape which therefore requires a special wrench to operate it. The heads illustrated are five sided, but it will be ob-' vious that any other special shape may be employed. Said member has a locking toe 11 and a stop lug 18, the locking toe being located at the lower end of the member and the stop lug at the upper end. The toe and lug are positioned at right angles to each other so that a quarter turn of the bolt hooks the toe under the low-er shoulder 2 and carries the lug into engagement with the annular portion between the shoulders 2, thus stopping the toe in looking position beneath the shoulder of the curb. Any suitable number of these fastening devices may be used, but I prefer to use two spaced at diametrically-opposite points on the manhole cover, the bolt-heads being seated in countersunk holes on the cover.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another form of fastening device. Numeral S designates the bolt, 10 the plug and 11 the locking toe. The stop, in this instance, comprises a lug 19 formed integral with the cover 3.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated another form of locking means comprising abolt 8, the block 10 and the locking toe 11. A- special form of stop lug 20 is carried by the block 10 which limits the rotation of the plug and toe in both directions. It will be apparent that the parts can be rotated from the looking positi 11 illustrated in Fig. 11 in a clock wise direction through approximately 90, the motion being limited by the engagement of the other end of lug 20 with the curb 1.

lVhile I have herein disclosed the preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable particularity for the sake of clearness, I recognize that various alternatives will occur to persons skilled in the art, and I, therefore, do not confine my invention to the present disclosure, but aim to cover in the appended claims all modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described a curb adapted for insertion into a vertically walled opening in paving or the like having a symmetrical T-snaped cross section, the leg of the T forming an inwardly projecting flange, and a cover engaging one side oi said flange and one arm of said T to be completely supported thereby, said curb being removable vertically without disturbing the adjacent paving.

'2. In a device or" the class described a curb having a symmetrical T-shaped cross section, the leg of the T forming an inwardly projecting flange, and a support for said curb engaging the end of one of the arms of the T and having an upwardly extending flange engaging the inner surface of said arm.

3. In a device of the class described, a curb havin a vertically disposed outer periphery and an inwardly projecting flange, a support adapted for engagement by either end of said curb at the bottom thereof and by a portion of the inner surface thereof, and a cover adapted to be su ported by said curb by engagement with eit er side of said flange and with a portion of the inner surface of the curb.

4. In a device of the class described, a

locking bolt and a locking member carried by said bolt, said locking member having laterally projecting portions located in different planes, one of said portions engaging a supporting structure to function as a lock and the other of said portions engaging the supporting structure to limit the rotation of said lockin member.

5. In a evice of the class described, a curb having a symmetrical T-shaped cross section with a vertically disposed outer periphery and an inwardly projecting annular flange, a cover adapted to be supported on either side of said flange and engage the end portion adjacent said flange, and a support adapted to engage either end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb partway to said flange only, whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flan 6. In a device of the c ass described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on one side of said flange and engaging the end portion above said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb partway to said flange onl whereby a groove is formed between sai support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplementary cover having peripheral portions entering said roove.

7. In a device oi the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on one side of said flange and engaging the end portion above said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb partway to said shoulder only, whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peripheral portions entering said groove, a portion of said supplemental cover being cut away to provide clearance space for locking members enterin said groove.

8. In a evice of the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on one side of said flange and engaging the end portion above said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb partway to said flange only whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peri her-a1 portions entering said groove, sai supplemental cover comprising a central section and lateral sections, said central section being relatively short and not entering said groove, whereby it may be removed from operative position.

9. In a device of the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on one side of said flange and engaging the end portion above said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb partway to said flange only, where by an annular groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peripheral portions entering said groove, said supplemental cover comprising a central section and lateral sections, said central section being relatively short, and means carried by said cover engaging the lower side of said flange at the ends of said central section to lock said cover in position.

10. In a device of the class described, a curb, a support for said curb, and paving structure associated with said support and spaced from said curb, said support and curb having interengaging portions preventing relative movement in a lateral'direction and the curb being freely movable vertically with reference to the paving structure whereby to permit of its reversal.

11. In a device of the class described, in combination, a paving structure having an opening therein, walls defining a vault, a base resting on said walls, a pavement substructure engaging said base peripherally, and a reversible curb in said opening and adapted to be supported on said base either side up and freely withdrawable vertically with respect to the paving structure.

12. In a device of the class described, walls defining a vault, a base on said walls, a pavement sub-structure engaging the same peripherally, a curb supported on said base, a pavement having its main structure spaced from said curb and a ring encircling and spaced from said curb and resting on said base, said ring functioning to hold said pavement structure in position away from said curb.

13. In a device of the class described, a rotatable locking member having laterally projecting portions located in difl'erent planes perpendlcular to the axis of rotation, said portions extending in different directions from the axis at angles of approximately 90, whereby when one portion is rotated to extend under a supporting structure the other portion will engage the supporting structure to prevent further rotation.

I 14. In a device of the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange,

.a cover supported on said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb only partway to said flange whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peripheral portions entering said groove, said supplemental cover comprising a central section and lateral sections, said lateral sections entering said groove and said central section being relatively short and supported by said lateral sections.

15. In a device of the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on sald flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb only partway to said flange whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peripheral portions entering said groove, said supplemental cover comprising a central section and lateral sections, said lateral sections entering said groove and said central section being relatively short and supported by said lateral sections, and means in the nature of a chain and padlock for preventing unauthorized removal of said central section.

16. In a device of the class described, a curb having an inwardly projecting flange, a cover supported on said flange, a support engaging the lower end of said curb and extending upwardly within said curb only partway to said flange whereby a groove is formed between said support and the lower side of said flange, and a supplemental cover having peripheral portions entering said groove, said supplemental cover comprising a central section and lateral sections, said lateral sections entering said groove and said central section being relatively short and supported by said lateralsections, and means carried by said cover engaging said flange adjacent the ends of said central section to lock said sections in position.

17. In a device of the class described, a support, a cover, and a curb resting on said support and supporting said cover, said curb having a symmetrical T-shaped cross section with a vertically disposed outer periphery.

18. In a device of the class described, a support, a cover, and a curb having a symmetrical T-shaped cross section, said curb being adapted to lie either side up and in either position to rest in fitting engagement on said support and support said cover by fitting engagement therewith, the outer periphery of the curb being disposed so as to permit the free withdrawal vertically of the curb with reference to the adjacent paving or like structure.

19. In a device of the class described, a support, a cover, a reversible curb resting on the support and having an inwardly projecting flange providing in either position of the curb a support for thecover, a locking bolt carried by the cover and having a locking member thereon said locking member having laterally projecting portionslocated in different planes, one of said portions engaging the curb to function as a lock and the other of said portions engaging the curb to limit the rotation of said locking member.

20. In a device of the class described, a support, a cover, a curb having a symmetrical T-shaped cross section with an upright portion having a vertically disposed outer pe-' ripheral wall and an inwardly projecting flange providing in either position of the curb a support for said cover, and a looking device carried by the cover and adapted to engage said flange in either position of the curb to hold the cover in position upon the flange.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANCIS SHANLEY. 

